Neuranics has secured an £800,000 grant from Scottish Enterprise (SE) to support a £2.4 million project aimed at transforming how humans interact with machines through innovative wristband technology.

The Glasgow-based quantum sensor developer will use patented magnetic sensors in the wristbands to detect muscle activity and precise gestures, leveraging magnetomyography (MMG) technology and machine learning to interpret these muscle movements.

Initially targeting extended reality applications, the deep-tech firm said the device will eventually enable seamless gesture recognition for immersive digital experiences.

Neuranics, a spin-out from the Universities of Glasgow and Edinburgh, claims that the 18-month project will create ten high-tech jobs at the company’s Glasgow headquarters and bolster Scotland’s position in the wearable technology sector.

According to the company, current gesture recognition solutions often lack accuracy and rely on bulky, uncomfortable equipment, and Neuranics’ claim their solution addresses these limitations by using compact sensors capable of detecting the smallest muscle-generated magnetic fields. 

If successful, the wristband could have potential in healthcare and sports, as well as gaming and assistive technologies,  enabling hands-free control for improved accessibility, and facilitating natural, gesture-based interactions in virtual environments.

The firm said that the £800,000 grant from Scottish Enterprise will go towards research and development, creating new jobs, and helping boost Scotland’s tech and semiconductor industries.

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Neuranics CEO Noel McKenna commented: “This funding is a tremendous boost for our project. We are excited to explore how our technology can transform digital interactions and contribute to Scotland’s economic and technological landscape.”

Last month, the company won £125,000 in funding for its AI-driven remote heart health monitoring project through the Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851 Industrial Fellowship, and was recently awarded the Deep Tech Investment of the Year at the UK Angel Investment Awards.